Van Cortlandt Park Trails

If you’re looking for a beautiful place to take a hike with your pup in the Bronx, check out Van Cortlandt Park! This 1,146-acre area is the third largest park in New York City, and features five trails to explore. Pups are welcome to join you on these furtastic trails on-leash. Be sure to bring some clean up bags for the journey!

There are two parking lots in Van Cortlandt Park: one by the Shandler Ballfields and one by the Van Cortlandt Golf House. The park is also accessible by subway and bus. One of Van Cortlandt Park’s most pawpular trails begins right by the Van Cortlandt Golf House parking lot: the Putnam Trail! This 1.1-mile trail goes along a historic railroad route, and it takes you through a forest filled with oak-hickory trees. The trail also goes past scenic Van Cortlandt Lake and Tibbetts Brook. If your dog gets thirsty during your walk, water fountains are available throughout the park—just be sure to bring your pup’s water bowl with you.

Cass Gallagher Nature Trail is another great trail for you to explore with your dog. This 1.4-mile trail begins near the Broadway and Mosholu Avenue entrance, and it takes you through the picturesque Northwest Forest. You can also try the 1.5-mile John Muir Nature Trail. This trail also begins by the park’s Broadway and Mosholu Avenue entrance, and it goes through three unique, ecologically distinct forests. As you’re walking along this trail, you’ll pass red oak trees, sweetgum trees, hickory trees, and a marsh that’s teeming with wildlife.

If you want to let your pup play off-leash after your walk, Van Cortlandt Park has two fenced dog runs: Van Cortlandt Park Dog Run on the western side of the park and Woodlawn Dog Run on the eastern side. These dog runs both feature separate areas for large and small dogs, and they have plenty of space for dogs to run and play with their new friends.

Van Cortlandt Park is a furrific park with tons of trails to trek on with your pup. Remember to bring doggy bags so you can clean up after your pup while you’re hiking, and have fun exploring this beautiful forest park!